Machine for inserting fasteners

ABSTRACT

A machine for having a plurality of jaws for clamping layers of material therebetween and relatively moving the material and a needle in order to insert the needle through the material. Thereafter a fastener attachment member is forced through the needle to insert it through the material.

United States Patent Kinney et al.

MACHINE FOR INSERTING FASTENERS Inventors: John E. Kinney, Upton; Arnold R.

1 Bone, Needham, both of Mass.

Assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Company,

F ramingham, Mass.

Filed: May 27, 1971 Appl. No.: 147,528

U.S. Cl. ..227/67, 227/95, 227/124, 227/152 Int. Cl. ..B65c 7/00 Field of Search ..227/20, 21, 25, 30, 227/65, 66, 67, 93, 95, 96, 97, 124, 136,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Kohnle ..227/25 3,103,666 9/1963 Bone 3,299,483 1/1967 Dritz 3,470,834 10/1969 Bone 3,527,396 9/1970 Dudley... 3,598,025 8/1971 Cotton ..227/67 X Primary ExaminerGranville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney-Sewall P. Bronstein, John D. Woodberry, Robert T. Gammons, Donald Brown, Robert L. Goldbert and Robert F. O'Connell [57] ABSTRACT A machine for having a plurality of jaws for clamping layers of material therebetween and relatively moving the material and a needle in order to insert the needle through the material. Thereafter a fastener attachment member is forced through the needle to insert it through the material.

34 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PATENTEL W29 5 SHEET 1 OF 6 FiGll FIGIZ PATENTE W29 I975 SHEET 8 OF 6 CONTROL MACHINE FOR INSERTING FASTENERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This machine relates to a new and improved machine, device or apparatus for inserting a fastener attachment member into an article and is more particularly related to a new and improved apparatus for clamping layers of material together and then inserting a fastener attachment member through the layers of material.

This invention finds particular utility in the retail industry where pairs of items such as shoes, socks, gloves are attached together to insure that the individual members of the pairs are not separated while on display.

In the past such items have generally been held together by a string or staple passed through the items. Although the prior art schemes are acceptable, there has developed a need for a simpler and quicker operating machine for attaching pairs of items together. In addition, there has also developed the need for a machine which could readily penetrate heavy material such as leather and plastic used in shoes or the like and then deposit an attaching member to hold the individual layers together, particularly for display purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention a new and improved machine is provided which is adapted to clamp layers of material together and then place a fastener attachment member through said layers to secure them together. In addition a ticket or the like may be attached or coupled to a single layer or multiple layers of material with the machine of this invention, e.g., by placing a ticket in position to permit a needle shown herein to pass therethrough while at the same time inserting a fastener through a single layer of material or multiple layers of material.

One new feature of the machine is a new and improved mechanism for clamping layers of material together, forcing a needle through the material layers and then forcing a fastener attachment member through the layers.

In addition, one embodiment of the machine discloses a new and improved indexing mechanism which allows for the easy removal of a row of said fastener attachment members in case the machine becomes jammed. For further information concerning the state of the art reference should be had to US. Pat. Nos. 3,103,666 and 3,470,834 among others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the preferred device for inserting fasteners of this invention;

FIG. 2is a bottom view of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, to show the indexing mechanism of the preferred apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the indexing mechanism in another position;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the indexing mechanism in position to permit the removal of the fastener from the device;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views similar to FIG. 3 showing the operation of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10l0 of FIG. 8;

FIGS. l1-13 show the attachment or fastener member suitable for use in this invention;

FIG. 14 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-l5 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 1717 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a side view showing the machine of this invention modified to include ticket support means for supporting a ticket between the jaws of the clamping means;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the ticket support means shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a view showing the opposite side of the ticket support shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the ticket support means shown in FIGS. 18-21;

FIGS. 22-25 illustrate another style needle invented by one of the joint inventors and disclosed by him in US Pat. No. 2,659,769, issued May 2, 1972, which can be used with the machine of this invention; and

FIG. 26 shows a side view with parts broken away of a modified machine according to this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference should now be had to FIGS. 1-10 for a description of the preferred embodiment of the invention. At 10 there is shown a housing which includes a handle portion for permitting a person to hold the machine or device. In order to operate the device of this invention, there is provided a control member 11 pivotly mounted as shown within the housing ha'ndle portion 10a and which through linkages l2 and 13 operates a valve 14 to permit the entry and exiting of fluid into and out of the device to operate it. The fluid is preferably a gas such as air under pressure which is provided via tube 15 from a pump and source not shown but conventional in the art.

It should be understood that instead of gas, liquids could also be used as the fluid if a different type of conventional valve was utilized.

The valve 14 of this invention is the type that when depressed by pushing button 14a thereof inwardly, permits the flow of gas into the device and when the button 14a returns to its outward position as shown in FIG. 1, then permits gas to leave the interior cylinder of the device to permit certain parts to move rearwardly (i.e. to the left of FIG. 1).

The device of this invention is constructed with clamping means comprising jaws 20 and 21. The jaw 20 is stationary and is mounted in the nose portion of the housing 10 whereas the member 21 is movable (preferably in a straight line) 'to clamp layers of material shown at 23 therebetween.

At 25 there is shown a needle having a slot therein at 25a for penetrating the material 23 (comprising layers 23a and 23b) which is mounted in a telescoping member 26. The telescoping member 26 is positioned within a cylinder 27 which is itself supported in a casing 28 forming part of the housing 10.

Within the cylinder 27 there is provided an air chamber 30 in which there is positioned a piston 31 adatped for slidable motion therein. A seal 32 is provided to insure that fluid doesnt pass forward of the piston. The piston 31 is coupled by a bolt- 33 to the telescoping member 26 with a felt wiper or seal 34 positioned therebetween. Positioned within the telescoping member 26 and slidable within slots 35 formed therein is the inner jaw 21. The inner jaw 21 has guide member 36 coupled thereto by a bolt 37 which is movable therewith. The guide 36 is slidably movable within a slot 39 formed within the outer jaw 20, the outer jaw being coupled to the housing by bolts 40.

The inner jaw 21 includes a projecting portion 21a movable within an area 41 formed between the housing 10 and the outer jaw 20. The inner jaw is urged rearwardly by a spring 42 positioned between the jaw projection 21a and the outer jaw 20. The inner jaw also includes racks 22a and 22b which engages gears 44a and 44!; coupled to a larger diameter gear 45, all of which are supported for rotation within the telescoping member 26 by pins 46 coupled thereto. The inner jaw 21 is urged forward (towards the right of FIG. 7) by a spring 47 (see FIG. 9) which is positioned between the piston 31 and one end thereof and in a cavity 48 formed within the telescoping member 26.

A stop pin 49 is provided extends inwardly from the telescoping member 26 to limit the forward movement of the inner jaw. A second rack 50 is provided for supporting a plunger 51 in a slot 52 formed therein. The plunger 51 has an L bend 51a at one end thereof which fits within a L-shaped continuation of the slot 52. The plunger is shaped and adapted to engage the fastener attachment members 54 shown in FIGS. 11-13 to force one of the head portions 540 through the needle slot 250 by pushing one end 54a thereof. The rack 50 is positioned within a slot 55 formed within the telescoping member 26 and slides along a plate 56 extending over a portion thereof. The rack 50 engages the gear 45 which is adapted to cause it to move forward and rearward.

Also shown within and supported by the telescoping member 26 is another felt wiper 60 provided to prevent dirt from entering the operable parts of the machine.

Under the plate 56 (see FIGS. 3-6) there is provided an indexing mechanism for positioning one at a time fastener attachment members 54 in front of the needle slot 25a while they are attached to a carrier 57 (see FIGS. 11-13).

The fastener attachment members shown in FIGS. 11-13 are fed into the device of FIGS. 1-10 via an inlet guide slot 61 (see FIG. 1 in particular). The indexing mechanism is adapted to engage coupling members 58 coupled between the carrier 57 and the attachment member 54 to move said attachment members one at a time between the needle 25 and the plunger 51.

The indexing mechanism includes a rotatable indexing wheel 70 secured by a shaft 71 positioned within a cavity 72 formed below the plate 56. The indexing wheel has teeth formed therein which are adapted to engage the coupling members 58 connecting the carrier 57 to the fastener attachment members.

In order to rotate the indexing wheel counter clockwise to position the fastener attachment members in front of the needle slot 25a, there is provided an indexer member 75 having a teeth engaging portion 75a. The indexer member also has a portion 75b having substantially a semi-circular shaped end which is adapted to rotate within a rear guide portion 72a of the cavity 72. The rear guide portion also has a wall of substantially the same semi-circular shape as the end portion 75b so as to mate therewith as shown in FIG. 5.

The indexer member 75 is biased rearward (to the left of FIGS. 4-6) by a spring 76 also positioned in a portion of the cavity 72. The indexer member 75 is under the control of a rod 80 positioned in a slot 81 of the telescoping member 26 and engages at one end a plug stop member 82 through a bpre 82a in the cylinder end. The rod 80 has a pin 83 attached thereto which is movable within an enlarged slot portion 81a. During the operation of the machine, that is when the telescoping member 26 moves to the right of FIGS. 3-6, the rod moves with the telescoping member 26 and is positioned as shown in FIG. 5. Upon the rearward movement of the telescoping member 26, the indexer member then engages the next tooth of the wheel and moves from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the slightly tilted position shown in FIG. 4. The indexer member is permitted to rotate and tilt in a clockwise direction since it is cut back slightly at 75c and the curved portion of the end 7511 rotates against the edge of the cavity.

In order to prevent the indexing wheel from moving clockwise, a holder member is provided which fits within a slot portion 72!: and is urged in a forward direction (to the left of FIGS. 3-6) by a spring 91.

The holder 90 is provided with a finger 92 supported thereby which fits with a cutout 75d formed in the indexer member 75. The finger 92 is adapted to engage and cam against a shoulder 75e of the cutout 75d when the holder is moved rearwardly. The holder is moved rearwardly upon depression of a pivotly mounted lever 95 supported by the telescoping member 26 which is normally urged in an upward position by spring 96.

Thus, to permit the indexing wheel 70 to free wheel the lever 95 is depressed. The resulting position of the indexer member 75 and the holder 95 is shown clearly in FIG. 6. When the parts are as shown in FIG. 6, it is now possible to remove the fastener attachment members and the carrier therefore if desired, as for example, if the attachment member has jammed within the machine.

Briefly the operation of the machine of FIG. 1 is as follows:

1. Attachment members 54 and the carrier 57 are first threaded into slot 61;

2. Assuming that the air supply source is operating, the layers of material 22a and 2212 are then positioned as shown in FIG. 1;

3. The member 11 is then rotated clockwise by the individual operating the machine to open valve 14;

4. Air under pressure is then forced into the chamber 30 and causes the piston to move forward thereby causing the telescoping member 26 and the jaw 21 to move forward, (from the position shwon in FIG. 3) and close on the material layers as shown in FIG. 7. (It should be noted that spring 47 is constructed so that greater compressive force is required to compress it than spring 42 and thus spring 42 will first compress as the telescoping member 26 and jaw 21 move forward);

5. As air continues to flow into the chamber the needle 25 continues forward to andextends through the material layers and through jaw cutouts 20c and 2le as shown in FIG. 8, while at the same time the plunger 51 moves forward as the spring 47 compresses against the inner jaw rack 22a, 22b thereby causing counter clockwise rotation of the gears 44a and 44b as well as gear positioned between rack and rack 22a and 22b. The rotation of gear 45 in the counter clockwise direction causes rack 50 and plunger 51 attached thereto to move forward thus forcing a fastener attachment member 54 to separate from the carrier therefore and pass through the material layers 23a and 23b as shown in FIGS. 8 and I3.

6. Upon release of member 11 a spring (not shown) forming part of the conventional valve 14 causes button 14a to move forward and prevents air from the source from being supplied into the chamber 30 and at the same time permits air in the chamber to be expelled.

7. Thereafter springs 47 and 42 cause the telescoping member, inner jaw and rack attached thereto, and the needle to move rearward while rotating gears 44a and 44b and 45 clockwise to return the plunger 51 to the position as shown in FIG. 3.

8. The return of the telescoping member to the far left of FIG. 3 causes the indexing wheel to position the next fastener attachment member in front of the needle when the rod engages plug 82 and forces the indexer 75 forward.

Reference should now be had to FIGS 14-17 for a description of a hand operated machine embodying some of the features of the preferred machine of FIGS. 1-l0.

This machine comprises a lower handle to which there is attached by a pin 100a-a cover 101 and an outer jaw 102. At 103 there is provided an upper handle which has a portion 104 which connects to a body portion 105 which houses some of the operable parts thereof to be described.

An inner jaw is shown at 106. The inner jaw 106, the outer jaw 102 and handle 100 are coupled together for relative pivotal motion about the handle 103 by a pin 107. The inner jaw is resilently urged away from the handle portion 104 by a spring 108 while the outer jaw 102 and handle 103 are urged away from the handle part 104 by a spring 109.

The body portion 105 has a cover 110 shown broken away in FIG. 14. Within the body portion there is mounted an L-shaped rack 111 connected by a link 112 to the inner jaw 106. The rack 111 is mounted for slidable motion in a slot 113 formed in the body 105 with an enlarged portion of the slot provided at 113a to permit motion of the rear portion 111a of the rack between wall portions 113b and 1130. The rack 111 has teeth 111b which engage a gear 115 coupled to a larger diameter gear 116 for simultaneous rotation about pins 117a and 117b, all of which are mounted within a cavity 118 formed in the body 105. At the front of the body portion 105 there is mounted a slotted needle 120 which is adapted to permit fastener attachment member heads 54 to be forced therethrough once positioned in front of the needle.

The carrier and the fastener attachment members are fed into the apparatus through a conventional insert guide slot 121 as shown in FIGS. 1-10 or as shown in the aforementioned patents referred to in this application.

In order to force the fastener attachment heads into the needle, a plunger 125 is provided within a slot 126 formed in the body portion 105. The plunger 125 is itself provided with teeth 125a which engage the larger diameter wheel 116. The plunger is adapted to move back and forth within the slot 126 to force fastener attachment members through the needle 120 as conventional in the art, that is by forcibly separating fastener attachment members from the carrier therefore.

The plunger is positioned on a plate 127 and which provides a cover for an indexing mechanism generally shown at 128. The indexing mechanism comprises an indexing wheel 130 mounted for rotation in a cavity 131 formed within the body portion 105.

A spring type holder 134 is provided in the cavity 131 for preventing the indexing wheel from moving clockwise and is maintained in position by the provision of a detent 135 positioned in a body portion cutout 136. An indexing wheel pusher is provided at 137 which is positioned in the cavity 131 on a side wall 131a for slidable motion to engage the teeth of the indexing wheel to rotate it clockwise. The pusher has a bent portion 137a for engaging a pin 138 (extending from the bottom of the cavity 131) to limit the rearward movement of the pusher. The pusher 137 is normally urged by a spring 139 positioned between the holder 134 and itself against the pin 138. The pusher is caused to move towards the indexing wheel by the rack portion 111a which pushes it forward each time the jaws are open.

Briefly, the operation of the machine of FIGS. 14-17 is as follows:

1. The handles 100 and 103 are drawn toward each other.

2. The jaw 102 then pivots toward the jaw 106.

3. When the jaw 102 has moved as far as it can go, both jaws move to force a material between and over the needle 120.

4. At the same time the rack 111 moves to the right of FIG. 14 rotating the gears 115 and 116 thus causing the plunger 125 to move to the left of FIG. 14 between jaw cutouts 102a and 1060 to force fastener attachment members through the needle 120 and through material held between the jaws.

5. Upon release of the handles the rack 111 moves to the left of FIG. 14 returning the plunger 125 and engaging the pusher 137 to rotate the indexing wheel to position the next fastener attachment member in front of the needle.

Reference should now be had to FIGS. 18-21 which show a modification of the machines of this invention to permit a ticket to be supported between the jaws so that the needle may pass through the ticket while coupling the ticket to one or more layers of material.

Since the rear portion of the machine is the same as described with reference to FIGS. 1-10, reference will only be made to the modified nose portion of the machine. The nose portion of the machine is shown at 149 and includes clamping means as heretofore described which comprises an outer jaw 150 and an inner movable jaw 151, both of which are adapted for relative motion towards the other as described with reference to FIGS. 1-10.

The inner jaw 151 has a cutout for the needle as heretofore described as does the outer jaw, said cutout being shown at 150a. The nose 149 is also provided with a nose guard member 152 having a cutout 152a to provide protection for the machine user.

Attached to the nose 149 is a bracket having a flat portion 155a, a twisted portion 155b and a second flat portion 1556 supported with both a first backing plate 156 and a shaped plate 157 coupled thereto and having inner guide edges 157a and 157b to position two sides of a ticket shown in phantom at 158 between the jaws 150 and 151. In order to retain a ticket between the jaws, a binder clip 159 is provided which is coupled to the plates 156 and 157 by a bolt. The binder clip 159 has a resilent portion 159a which is biased inwardly to retain a ticket within the confines of 157a and 157b to permit a needle 160 as heretofore described to penetrate therethrough as the jaws and the needle all relatively move to insert a fastener attachment member into one or more layers of material. In this manner, a ticket may simultaneously be coupled to the material as a fastener is inserted into material held between the aws.

Reference should now be had to FIG. 26 which shows a further modification of the machine according to the invention. In this embodiment the machine is particularly adapted for automatic (e.g. timed) operation to insert fastener attachment members through one or more layers of material. The material can be automatically or manually positioned between the jaws of the device so that fastener insertion members can be inserted through the material. A stand or support is shown at 170 to which there is coupled a first bracket 171 for supporting a modified housing 172 which in turn supports a cylinder 173 housing, a telescoping member 174 having a needle 175 and a movable jaw 176. The parts shown, that is the cylinder, the needle, the movable jaw are as shown in FIGS. ll except that the guide for the movable jaw is formed in an extension 173a of the housing 173 rather than in the outer jaw itself as shown in FIGS. ll0. In particular, the guide is shown at 177 and is constructed as in FIGS. 1-10. A return spring 178 is shown which is positioned in the same manner as shown in FIGS. 1-10 to engage a projection 176a of the movable jaw 176 (also as shown in FIGS. 110). A fixed in place jaw is shown at 180 and is attached to the stand 170. The fixed jaw has a hole or slot 180d to permit the needle to extend therethrough and is positioned below a hole 176b formed in jaw 176.

In order to operate the device of FIG. 26, compressed air is provided through tubing 181 from a source (not shown) and is permitted to enter and exit from the cylinder 173 as previously disclosed in FIGS. 1-10 by a valve 182. In this case a solenoid valve convention in the art (such as sold by the Skinner Co. of

New Britain, Conn.) is used which is controlled from a controller 183 as for example an electrical timer or simply an on-off switch connected to a power supply.

In FIGS. 22-25, there is shown a different needle configuration which may be used in any of the constructions set forth herein. The needle shown in FIGS. 2225 is as disclosed by one of the co-inventors herein in US. Pat. No. 2,659,769, issued May 2, I972.

The needle shown in these Figures comprises a mounting portion 200, a central portion 201, and a tip 202. An elongated slot is provided at 203 extending through substantially the entire needle and is shaped at 203a (the bottom thereof) to retain the fastener attachment head 540 (see FIGS. 11-12) therein and is shaped at 203k (at the top thereof) to permit the narrower filament portion extending vertically from the head to extend upwardly therethrough as in FIG. 1. In addition, a second slot is provided in the needle at 204 to permit a portion of the head 54a to pass into the needle as shown in US. Pat. No. 2,659,769.

To cut the attachment members from the carrier therefore, a V-shaped cutting edge 206 is provided at the rear of the mounting portion 200.

It should be understood from the foregoing description that many variations are contemplated in the machines set forth, e.g., the rack 22b shown in FIGS. 1-10 can be fixed in place and coupled directly to the cylinder 27. In a case such as this the throw of the rack 50 and the plunger 51 would be made longer and the ratio (diameter) of the gears interconnecting the racks would be suitably varied.

This completes the description of the machines shown in the drawings. It is intended that the matter contained in theabove description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense since certain changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It is also understood that the following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which in a matter might be said to fall therebetween.

We claim:

1. A machine for dispensing fastener attachment members to hold together layers of material or the like, said machine comprising first means for supporting:

a. a pair of clamping means adapted to relatively move together to hold material therebetween;

b. a needle having at one end a slot along one side thereof an a bore opening into the slot, said needle having a tip at the other end and adapted to relatively move with respect to said clamping means in order to extend through material to be held by said clamping means;

c. a plunger movable to force a head portion of a fastener attachment member through the bore of said needle; and

d. second means operable to cause said clamping means to close, force said needle to relatively move with respect to said clamping means and cause said plunger to move into the needle bore.

2. A machine according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises a housing and a cylinder supported thereby, said housing supporting said clamping means and said cylinder housing said second means, said second means including a telescoping member movable in said cylinder, said telescoping member supporting said needle and said plunger and a piston coupled to said telescoping member.

3. A machine according to claim 2 in which third means for feeding fastener attachment members is provided in said telescoping member.

4. A machine according to claim 3 in which fourth means suported by said telescoping member is provided for forcing said clamping means together and causing said plunger to move into said needle.

5. A machine according to claim 4 in which said fourth means includes a gear and rack.

6. A fastener dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for supporting a first jaw and a cylinder, a telescoping membr positioned within said cylinder and movable toward and away from said first jaw, a needle carried by said telescoping member and having a slot and bore formed therein for the passage of fastener attachment members therethrough, a guide slot in said telescoping member for positioning head portions of successive fastener attachment members one at a time at the needle slot and bore prior to passage therethrough, a plunger slidably supported by said telescoping member and adapted to engage said head portions and force them through said needle, a second jaw slidably supported by said telescoping member, a first rack means positioned within said cylinder and coupled to said second jaw, a second rack means coupled to said plunger and slidable therewith, and gear means carried by said telescoping member and interconnecting said first and second rack means.

7. A machine according to claim 6 in which said telescoping member is coupled to a piston.

8. A machine according to claim 7 in which said gear means is coupled to and movable with said telescoping member.

9. A machine according to claim 8 in which said first rack is coupled to said second jaw.

10. A machine according to claim 9 in which said first jaw slidably supports said second jaw.

11. In a fastener attachment insertion device which includes a housing, a needle, the needle having a slot and bore therethrough for the passage of a portion of a fastener attachment member, a plunger positioned to move into and out of the bore in the needle to force a fastener attachment member portion positioned at the rear of the needle and in front of the bore and slot through the needle bore and slot and first means for positioning fastener attachment members into the device at the rear of the needle, the improvement comprising a first rack coupled to the plunger, a second rack coupled to the housing, first gear means and second gear means mounted on a common shaft for simultaneous rotation, a second means for supporting said racks and said gears so that one gear engages one rack and the other gear engages the other rack, and third means for causing said gears to rotate to drive the plunger into and out of said needle.

12. In a device according to claim 11 in which said first means comprises a first handle coupled to the second rack and when said handle is rotated is adapted to move said second rack.

13. In a device according to claim 11 in which clamping means are positioned on the device forward of said needle for holding material in place and wherein means are provided to relatively move said needle and said clamping means to cause said needle to penetrate material if held by said clamping means.

14. In a device according to claim 13 in which one gear is of a larger diameter than the other so that the plunger motion is timed to push a fastener attachment member through said needle after the needle has passed through the material.

15. In a device according to claim 14 in which there is provided clamping means positioned in front of the tip of the needle and adapted to engage material, and wherein telescoping means is provided to relatively move said needle and said clamping means with respect to said housing to cause said needle to penetrate material engaged by said clamping means.

ill)

16. In a device according to claim 15 in which one gear is of a larger diameter than the other so that the plunger motion is timed to enter the needle after the needle has penetrated material held by said clamping means.

17. A machine for dispensing fastener attachment members, said machine comprising a body, a cylinder supported by said body, a piston and telescoping member positioned within said cylinder for movement therein, said telescoping member having a front portion extending beyond one end of the cylinder, the front portion of the telescoping member supporting a needle for movement therewith, said needle having a bore and slot extending from a rear end to a pointed end thereof, said bore and and slot constructed to permit a portion of a fastener attachment member to pass from said rear end to said pointed end, means supported by said telescoping member constructed to feed fastener attachment member portions one at a time in front of the rear end of the needle, a first rack and plunger slidably supported by said telescoping member, said plunger adapted to move in and out of said needle bore to force fastener attachment member portions through said needle slot, a first jaw supported in a fixed position by said body in front of the normal at rest position of said needle tip, a first member slidably supported by said body and having a portion extending into said cylinder, said first member having a second jaw at one end thereof normally positioned between said needle tip and said first jaw, a second rack attached to said first member and positioned within the telescoping member, first and second gear means secured to a common shaft for simultaneous rotation, said shaft supported by said telescoping member and movable with said telescoping member, the first .gear means coupled to said first rack and the second gear means coupled to said second rack, resilient biasing means positioned between said piston and said first member, and means to admit pressure fluid into said cylinder behind said piston to move said jaws towards each other, move the telescoping member forward toward said jaws, and then fully move the plunger through said needle bore after the jaws have stopped movement.

18. A machine according to claim 17 wherein means areprovided between said first member and said first jaw to resilently urge said first member towards said piston.

19. A machine according to claim 18 including guide means formed in said first jaw and means coupled to said first member and supported in said guide means for slidable movement therein.

20. A machine according to claim 19 in which stop means are provided to limit the forward movement of said second rack.

21. A machine according to claim 17 in which the jaws each have cutouts therein to permit the needle tip to extend past through the jaws.

22. A machine according to claim 1 in which said clamping means comprises two jaws and wherein said first means includes a housing for supporting a cylinder and a telescoping member positioned within the cylinder which is adapted to carry the needle, and wherein said first jaw is movable with respect to said housing and wherein said second jaw is supported by first means at a distance away from said housing but close enough to permit said first jaw to move towards said seocnd jaw and clamp material therebetween.

23. A machine according to claim 22 in which said housing includes guide means for supporting said first jaw and wherein said first jaw is movable within said cylinder.

24. A machine according to claim 7 in which there is provided means for admitting fluid pressure between said piston and the cylinder behind said piston to cause said second jaw and said needle to move towards said first jaw and also cause said gear means to rotate between said racks to force said plunger through said needie.

25. A machine for dispensing fastener attachment members, said machine comprising a housing having a cylindrical bore therein, a telescoping member slidably positioned within the bore with the front thereof extending outwardly from the bore, a needle carried by the front of said telescoping member and having a slot and bore formed therein for the passage of fastener attachment members therethrough, means supported by the telescoping member for positioning head portions of successive fastener attachment members one at a time at the needle slot and bore prior to passage therethrough, and a plunger slidably supported by said telescoping member and positioned to engage said head portions and force them through the needle.

26. A machine according to claim 25 in which the plunger is provided with a first rack, in which a second rack is coupled to the housing and in which gear means are carried by said telescoping member and interconnects said first and second racks to drive said plunger.

27. A machine according to claim 25 in which there is provided means to admit pressure fluid into the bore behind said telescoping member to move the telescoping member.

28. A machine according to claim 26 in which there is provided means to admit pressure fluid into the bore behind said telescoping member to move the telescoping member and cause the gear means to rotate to move the plunger.

29. A machine according to claim 11 in which said third means comprises means to admit pressure fluid and apply the pressure fluid against said second means.

30. In a fastener attachment insertion device which includes a housing, a needle supported by the housing and having a bore and a slot therethrough for the passage of a portion of a fastener attachment member, a plunger positioned to move into and out of the bore in the needle to force a fastener attachment member portion through the needle bore and slot, a first rack coupled to the plunger, a gear means coupled to said first rack and rotatable back or forth about a point to drive the rack, first means for rotating the gear means to cause the plunger to move into and out of the needle, and second means for positioning a head portion of a fastener attachment member with respect to the needle bore so that it may be pushed through the needle bore.

31. In a fastener attachment device according to claim 30 in which said first means comprises handle means coupled to a member for rotating the gear means.

32. In a fastener attachment insertion device according to claim 31 in which said first means comprises means to admit pressure fluid and apply the pressure fluid to drive a member coupled to the gear means.

33. In a fastener attachment insertion device according to claim 30 in which the gear means and the plunger are supported by the housing.

34. In a fastener attachment insertion device according to claim 31 in which the gear means and the plunger are supported by the housing. 

1. A machine for dispensing fastener attachment members to hold together layers of material or the like, said machine comprising first means for supporting: a. a pair of clamping means adapted to relatively move together to hold material therebetween; b. a needle having at one end a slot along one side thereof an a bore opening into the slot, said needle having a tip at the other end and adapted to relatively move with respect to said clamping means in order to extend through material to be held by said clamping means; c. a plunger movable to force a head portion of a fastener attachment member through the bore of said needle; and d. second means operable to cause said clamping means to close, force said needle to relatively move with respect to said clamping means and cause said plunger to move into the needle bore.
 2. A machine according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises a housing and a cylinder supported thereby, said housing supporting said clamping means and said cylinder housing said second means, said second means including a telescoping member movable in said cylinder, said telescoping member supporting said needle and said plunger and a piston coupled to said telescoping member.
 3. A machine according to claim 2 in which third means for feeding fastener attachment members is provided in said telescoping member.
 4. A machine according to claim 3 in which fourth means suported by said telescoping member is provided for forcing said clamping means together and causing said plunger to move into said needle.
 5. A machine according to claim 4 in which said fourth means includes a gear and rack.
 6. A fastener dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for supporting a first jaw and a cylinder, a telescoping member positioned within said cylinder and movable toward and away from said first jaw, a needle carried by said telescoping member and having a slot and bore forMed therein for the passage of fastener attachment members therethrough, a guide slot in said telescoping member for positioning head portions of successive fastener attachment members one at a time at the needle slot and bore prior to passage therethrough, a plunger slidably supported by said telescoping member and adapted to engage said head portions and force them through said needle, a second jaw slidably supported by said telescoping member, a first rack means positioned within said cylinder and coupled to said second jaw, a second rack means coupled to said plunger and slidable therewith, and gear means carried by said telescoping member and interconnecting said first and second rack means.
 7. A machine according to claim 6 in which said telescoping member is coupled to a piston.
 8. A machine according to claim 7 in which said gear means is coupled to and movable with said telescoping member.
 9. A machine according to claim 8 in which said first rack is coupled to said second jaw.
 10. A machine according to claim 9 in which said first jaw slidably supports said second jaw.
 11. In a fastener attachment insertion device which includes a housing, a needle, the needle having a slot and bore therethrough for the passage of a portion of a fastener attachment member, a plunger positioned to move into and out of the bore in the needle to force a fastener attachment member portion positioned at the rear of the needle and in front of the bore and slot through the needle bore and slot and first means for positioning fastener attachment members into the device at the rear of the needle, the improvement comprising a first rack coupled to the plunger, a second rack coupled to the housing, first gear means and second gear means mounted on a common shaft for simultaneous rotation, a second means for supporting said racks and said gears so that one gear engages one rack and the other gear engages the other rack, and third means for causing said gears to rotate to drive the plunger into and out of said needle.
 12. In a device according to claim 11 in which said first means comprises a first handle coupled to the second rack and when said handle is rotated is adapted to move said second rack.
 13. In a device according to claim 11 in which clamping means are positioned on the device forward of said needle for holding material in place and wherein means are provided to relatively move said needle and said clamping means to cause said needle to penetrate material if held by said clamping means.
 14. In a device according to claim 13 in which one gear is of a larger diameter than the other so that the plunger motion is timed to push a fastener attachment member through said needle after the needle has passed through the material.
 15. In a device according to claim 14 in which there is provided clamping means positioned in front of the tip of the needle and adapted to engage material, and wherein telescoping means is provided to relatively move said needle and said clamping means with respect to said housing to cause said needle to penetrate material engaged by said clamping means.
 16. In a device according to claim 15 in which one gear is of a larger diameter than the other so that the plunger motion is timed to enter the needle after the needle has penetrated material held by said clamping means.
 17. A machine for dispensing fastener attachment members, said machine comprising a body, a cylinder supported by said body, a piston and telescoping member positioned within said cylinder for movement therein, said telescoping member having a front portion extending beyond one end of the cylinder, the front portion of the telescoping member supporting a needle for movement therewith, said needle having a bore and slot extending from a rear end to a pointed end thereof, said bore and and slot constructed to permit a portion of a fastener attachment member to pass from said rear end to said pointed end, means supported by said telescoping member constructed to Feed fastener attachment member portions one at a time in front of the rear end of the needle, a first rack and plunger slidably supported by said telescoping member, said plunger adapted to move in and out of said needle bore to force fastener attachment member portions through said needle slot, a first jaw supported in a fixed position by said body in front of the normal at rest position of said needle tip, a first member slidably supported by said body and having a portion extending into said cylinder, said first member having a second jaw at one end thereof normally positioned between said needle tip and said first jaw, a second rack attached to said first member and positioned within the telescoping member, first and second gear means secured to a common shaft for simultaneous rotation, said shaft supported by said telescoping member and movable with said telescoping member, the first gear means coupled to said first rack and the second gear means coupled to said second rack, resilient biasing means positioned between said piston and said first member, and means to admit pressure fluid into said cylinder behind said piston to move said jaws towards each other, move the telescoping member forward toward said jaws, and then fully move the plunger through said needle bore after the jaws have stopped movement.
 18. A machine according to claim 17 wherein means are provided between said first member and said first jaw to resilently urge said first member towards said piston.
 19. A machine according to claim 18 including guide means formed in said first jaw and means coupled to said first member and supported in said guide means for slidable movement therein.
 20. A machine according to claim 19 in which stop means are provided to limit the forward movement of said second rack.
 21. A machine according to claim 17 in which the jaws each have cutouts therein to permit the needle tip to extend past through the jaws.
 22. A machine according to claim 1 in which said clamping means comprises two jaws and wherein said first means includes a housing for supporting a cylinder and a telescoping member positioned within the cylinder which is adapted to carry the needle, and wherein said first jaw is movable with respect to said housing and wherein said second jaw is supported by first means at a distance away from said housing but close enough to permit said first jaw to move towards said second jaw and clamp material therebetween.
 23. A machine according to claim 22 in which said housing includes guide means for supporting said first jaw and wherein said first jaw is movable within said cylinder.
 24. A machine according to claim 7 in which there is provided means for admitting fluid pressure between said piston and the cylinder behind said piston to cause said second jaw and said needle to move towards said first jaw and also cause said gear means to rotate between said racks to force said plunger through said needle.
 25. A machine for dispensing fastener attachment members, said machine comprising a housing having a cylindrical bore therein, a telescoping member slidably positioned within the bore with the front thereof extending outwardly from the bore, a needle carried by the front of said telescoping member and having a slot and bore formed therein for the passage of fastener attachment members therethrough, means supported by the telescoping member for positioning head portions of successive fastener attachment members one at a time at the needle slot and bore prior to passage therethrough, and a plunger slidably supported by said telescoping member and positioned to engage said head portions and force them through the needle.
 26. A machine according to claim 25 in which the plunger is provided with a first rack, in which a second rack is coupled to the housing and in which gear means are carried by said telescoping member and interconnects said first and second racks to drive said plunger.
 27. A machine according to claim 25 in which there is prOvided means to admit pressure fluid into the bore behind said telescoping member to move the telescoping member.
 28. A machine according to claim 26 in which there is provided means to admit pressure fluid into the bore behind said telescoping member to move the telescoping member and cause the gear means to rotate to move the plunger.
 29. A machine according to claim 11 in which said third means comprises means to admit pressure fluid and apply the pressure fluid against said second means.
 30. In a fastener attachment insertion device which includes a housing, a needle supported by the housing and having a bore and a slot therethrough for the passage of a portion of a fastener attachment member, a plunger positioned to move into and out of the bore in the needle to force a fastener attachment member portion through the needle bore and slot, a first rack coupled to the plunger, a gear means coupled to said first rack and rotatable back or forth about a point to drive the rack, first means for rotating the gear means to cause the plunger to move into and out of the needle, and second means for positioning a head portion of a fastener attachment member with respect to the needle bore so that it may be pushed through the needle bore.
 31. In a fastener attachment device according to claim 30 in which said first means comprises handle means coupled to a member for rotating the gear means.
 32. In a fastener attachment insertion device according to claim 31 in which said first means comprises means to admit pressure fluid and apply the pressure fluid to drive a member coupled to the gear means.
 33. In a fastener attachment insertion device according to claim 30 in which the gear means and the plunger are supported by the housing.
 34. In a fastener attachment insertion device according to claim 31 in which the gear means and the plunger are supported by the housing. 